Rail-joint connection.



I. ALCORN.

RAIL JOINT CONNECTION.

APPLICATION FILED MAY Patented Oct. 29, 1918.

Specification of Letters Patent.

RAIL-JOINT CONNECTION.

Patented Oct. as, rare.

Application filed May 17, 1818. Serial No. 235,082.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, J on Arconn, a citizen of the United States, residing at-Stonewall, in the county of Pontotoc and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Joint Connections, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to improvements in rail joints and it is the principal object of the invention to provide a novel form of rail joint which is of such construction as will permit the quick connection of the same with abutting rail portions and positively prevent the relative longitudinal movement or creeping of the rails so engaged.

It is also an object of the invention to provide the joint with a form of bolt which can be positively locked against undue rotation when engaged with the clamping slates and the webs of the abutting rails.

The improvements in the details and arrangements of parts will be apparent from an inspection of the accompanying drawings, in connection with the specific description hereinafter contained, and wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed for the purpose of imparting a full understanding thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section through the improved joint,

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail in elevation showing the connection of the locking nut with the outer end of the lateral extension, and

Jig. f is a fragmentary detail in perspecs tive showing the head of the bolt employed.

Havin more particular reference to the drawings, in connection with which like reference characters will designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, 1 represents a portion of one of the abutting rails, the web portion of which is provided with a substantially oblong shaped opening. As will be noted, the under side of the tread of the rail and the upper side of the base thereof are provided with vertically arranged lips generally indicated by the numeral 2, said lips being arranged to provide efficient ways for receiving the clamping or fish plates 3 and 4, these plates having the marginal portions thereof provided with lips 5 corresponding in shape to the ways afforded by the lips 52 and being v adapted to move thereinto, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, it being noted that the lips 5 extend throughout the lengths of their respec tive fish plates. It is to be also noted, that thelower portions of the clamping plates are formed integral with a base or chair 6, which in turn receives the base of the abutting rail ends thereon.

Formed integral with and extending laterally from the clamping plate 4 is an extension 7, the outer end of which is provided with ratchet teeth 8, for a purpose which will be presently described. Alined openings, substantially rectangular in cross section, are formed in the plates 3 and 4 and the web portions of the abutting rail ends and serve to receive a connecting bolt 9 therein, which bolt is formed with a head 10, substantially rectangular in cross section and adapted to be snugly received in the alined opening formed in the clamping plates and web portions of the rails. As will be noted, the free end of the shank portion of the bolt passes through a constricted opening formed in the outer end of the eX- tension 7 and has a locking nut 11 turned into engagement therewith, said locking nut carrying a ratchet element 12 on its bearing face adapted to be engaged with the ratchet teeth 8 formed on the outer end of said eX- tension.

In using the improved rail joint, it is of course to be understood that the web portions of the abutting rail ends receive the connecting bolts 9 therethrough, two or more of said bolts being provided for effecting connection between the adjacent portions of the rails, which bolts are passed through expansible coiled springs 13 arranged in the extension 7, while the free ends thereof are passed through the constricted opening formed in'the outer ends of the extensions and have the locking nuts 11 turned into engagement therewith. Since the bolts are normally maintained under tension by reason of the springs 9, the ratchet element 12 carried by the locking nut will be en gaged with the ratchet teeth 8 formed on the outer end of the extension and consequently rotation of the locking nut will be prevented, thus affording a positive and secure connection. Rotary movement of the bolt 9 is also prevented by reason of the peculiar form of th head 10, which, as hereinbefore stated, is snugly received in the alined openings termed 1n the clamping plates and the rail Web portions.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of conslderable modlfieation and such n'lodlficatlon as is wlthin the scope of my claim, I consider within the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

In a rall Jolnt, the combination with abutting rails, of clamping plates engaged with the web portions of the rails, a lateral extension on one 01 the plates having ratchet teeth formed on its outer end, a bolt formed with a squared head passing through the clamping plates and the lateral extension, a locking nut turned into engagement with the bolt having ratchet teeth thereon engageable with the ratchet teeth on the outer endof the extension, and spring means en gaged with the bolt and the extension for maintaining the ratchet teeth in engagenient.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signa ture hereto.

JOE ALGORN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). 0.? 

